Near Space Photographer

Flight 3 Video posted

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:30:04 -0400

Sorry for the delay. The NSP flight #3 video is now uploaded. The recap shows the payload at takeoff, 20kft,40kft,60ft,apogee and landing. Apogee and recovery system development occurs at 2:52 in the video.

Flight 3 Video

NSP Flight 2 Results

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:25:43 -0500

Flight #2 of the Near Space Photographer (NSP) was a success! The goal of this test was to prove the flight readiness of the on-board computer and modifications to the recovery system to improve reliability. Recorded apogee at 27,669ft. Total flight time of 52 minutes.

Below are a few snapshots from the full length video. Video to come soon. Sorry tumblr sucks and ruins my photos.

NSP Flight 2 a success

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:40:36 -0500

The launch this past Saturday to test the on-board computer and recovery system was a success!

Although altitude was not the goal of this flight the computer recorded apogee at 27,669ft. Ascent and descent rates have been found and will be used for future flights

Parachute deployed properly this time thanks to the removal of the landing gear and relatively calmer wind conditions. Video and photos to come soon.

tracking

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:03:27 -0500

tracking has been started for NSP flight 2. we will be launching for Barstow. http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0W5ZoRzxNnLHBYhqSi5lvtQWdHHK6e7qH

NSP Flight 2

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:25:10 -0500

With ideal weather conditions and a need to test the on-board flight computer we will be launching this coming Saturday (02-05-2011) around noon.

The balloon to be used is not a weather balloon as altitude is not the goal for this launch. In addition to testing the flight readiness of the newly installed on-board computer we will be testing the redesigned payload enclosure. Specifically, the payload enclosure has been redesigned to allow it to rotate independently from the chute and balloon. Pending testing later today of the gps unit the landing gear may or may not be removed for Flight 2.

Fridays gps testing as well as Flight 2 will be updated continuously for everyone to view. Follow this link for real time gps tracking (should begin Friday @4pm PST):

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0W5ZoRzxNnLHBYhqSi5lvtQWdHHK6e7qH

Stay tuned for video footage

Inaugural Flight a Sucess 01-09-2011

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:22:41 -0500

Despite extreme weather conditions (an average downrange or surface speed of 75mph) the launch of the NSP was a success this past Sunday. The 300g weather balloon was filled with roughly 80 cubic feet of helium to a measured diameter of 5’ 2” and lifted the payload and recovery system to an estimated 70,000 ft above the Earth’s surface.

On-board, a micro video camera weighing only 39.6 grams and a GPS tracker of 118g. While the GPS tracker has a reported range of -328 to 21,320 ft we received continuous updates throughout the flight and landing despite the altitude. Total, the system weighs in at 550g, which is 80g less than the suggested limit for the 300g balloon.

If you haven’t seen the video already please visit it at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o2G_3RgPEo

Future objectives and target altitudes to come.

If you’d like to donate to the project please click the donate:

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=fRwiDkGPqx9OjfBil4yoe0VEY22Fng5w-cINAg7q2E1MM_CyE3I3XmTDJ1i&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8df1d2b5c147af55b8d54f2944c97d2a2a

At the moment all donations are going towards an on-board computer for altimeter and accelerometer measurements. The goal is to fly with the new equipment in one months time.

Thank you,

Jeffrey Wilschke